Inboard-outboard belt drive



Se t. 21, 1965 R. HOLDER 3,207,119

INBOARD-OUTBOARD BELT DRIVE Filed April 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l w E v) m m M 1 N Ml N / INVENTOR.

Sept. 21, 1965 R. HOLDER 3,207,119

' INBOARD-OUTBOARD BELT DRIVE v Filed April 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVEN TOR. bbldzr 013M? M;

United States Patent 3,207,119 INBOARD-OUTBOARD BELT DRIVE Ray Holder, 408 Prospect Ave., Highland Park, Ill. Filed Apr. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 359,672 Claims. (Cl. 115-37) This invention relates generally to the art of boat propulsion and more particularly to an improved inboardoutboard drive for motor boats.

Motor boats for a great number of years have been driven by outboard motors, generally two-stroke cycle gasoline engines. These motors are typically secured to the boat transom and rest mainly behind the transom, outside of the boat with a screw or propeller disposed below the water. Shafts and gears connect the motor and the propeller. Generally, the entire motor, propeller, and shaft and gears tip up for transportation out of the water, or to prevent damage to the propeller or other parts should a submerged object be encountered. Outboard motors of this type have reached a high degree of development, but are lacking in certain respects. They tend to be noisy and of relatively short service life and are inefiicient as compared with other types of internal combustion gasoline engines.

Attempts have been made heretofore to obviate the disadvantages of outboard drives without going to the built-in installation of inboard engines with all of the expense and drawbacks attended thereupon by the use of inboard-outboard drives. In such drives an internal combustion engine of proper type is mounted within the boat, and suitable shafts and gears are used to connect the engine to a propeller suspended from the transom and capable of swinging up for transportation out of the water or in the event it should strike a submerged object. Preferably the propeller and its attendant parts are pivotable for steering. Such drives have many advantages and have become quite popular. Unfortunately, they are difficult to fabricate and are expensive.

{It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an inboard-outboard drive possessing the advantages of prior inboard-outboard drives at much lower cost and without the disadvantages heretofore attendant upon such drives.

In particular, it is an object of this invention to provide a b lt-driven inboard-outboard drive eliminating the necessity of provision of corrosion resistant gears and shafts, and permitting considerably greater flexibility than heretofore known in this art.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a twin screw inboard-outboard drive which is steerable and which can be tilted up for transportation of in the event of striking a submerged object.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an inboard-outboard drive usable with substantially any engine and transmission without difficult and expenssive modifications.

'Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a motor boat incorporating my novel inboard-outboard drive, the drawing being of a somewhat stylized nature; FIG. 2 is a horizontal view partly in section taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1 and on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a vertical elevational view taken from the rear substantially along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, there will be seen a boat indicated generally by the numeral 10. It will be understood that this boat is of 'a conventional motor boat type and may include a step which is not shown, and other structures common to motor boats. Within the boat there is mounted in any suitable fashion an internal combustion engine 1-2, preferably a four-stroke cycle spark ignited gasoline engine, although -a diesel engine could be used quite satisfactorily. A transmission 14 is provided as a functional unit with the engine 12 and a transmission or power output shaft 16 extends from the rear thereof through an opening 18 in the transom 20 of the boat. The shaft 16 preferably is sealed in the opening 18 by any suitable means as indicated at 22 in FIG. 2. Shaft seals are well known in the art, and need not be detailed at this point. A double grooved pulley 24 is fixed on the end of the output shaft 16 and spaced rearwardly from the transom 20.

A left propulsion unit 26 and a right propulsion unit 28 are disposed to either side of the output shaft 16 and rearwardly of the transom 20. The two propulsion units are similar, except for preferably a reversal of pitch of the respective propellers or screws 30 and 32 to provide an efficient drive for the boat. The two propulsion units are similar, and reference should be had particularly to the right propulsion unit for details of construction.

The right propulsion unit includes a bracket 34 having a web 36 which is Wedge shaped in cross section or backed by a wedge shaped block so that the two flanges 38 thereon extend horizontally in vertical planes rearwardly from the transom 20. Bolts 40 pass through the web 36 and through the transom 20, preferably having nuts threaded on the inner ends thereof. A swivel 42 is provided with a horizontal axle 44 which is pivotally mounted in the flanges '34 transverse of the axis of the boat 10. The swivel is provided with a vertical bore 45 in which there is pivoted a depending shaft or rod 46. The shaft or rod 46 -is pivotable about a normally vertical axis and is provided at its lower end with a right angularly formed trailing section 48 which normally is horizontally disposed. A double pulley 50, preferably with V-grooves therein is rotatably mounted on suitable corrosion resistant bearings at the rear of the horizontal rod or shaft section 48.

A propeller or screw 52 of generally conventional construction is rotatably journaled on the horizontal shaft portion 48 and is held thereon as by a nut 54. The propeller or screw preferably is secured to the double pulley in driving relation thereto by means of a shearpin or the like (not shown).

The swivel 42 also is provided with a rearwardly extending horizontal shaft 56 on which is mounted a double idler pulley 58. The rod or shaft 46 extends above the swivel 42 and is provided with a transverse pivot 60 on which is secured a clevis 62 formed as an integral portion of a steering handle 64. The steering handle extends through an opening 65 in the transom into the interior of the boat. The opening 65 either is disposed at a safe height above the water line or is sealed against the entrance of water, as by a flexible diaphram or a sliding connection between the steering handle 64 and the transom 20. The steering handle 64 is connected by means of a cross member or connecting rod 66 to a steering handle 64a of the left propulsion unit 26. An upstanding handgrip or handle 68 is provided on the connecting rod 66 for grasping by the hand to push the connecting rod 66 endwise of itself and transverse of the boat for moving the handles 64 and 64a to the right or to the left correspondingly to pivot the rods 46 and 46a to turn the propellers 30 and 32 for steering of the boat.

Additional steering is provided by a vertical fin or rudder 70 associated with each propeller and fixed to a horizontal planing surface 72, and also to a shaped housing 74 about the horizontal shaft portion 44. These parts are substantially conventional in nature and are believed not to require further explanation. In addition, there is for each propulsion unit a bracket '76 extending rearwardly from the transom and provided with a preferably semi-cylindrical guide 78 bearing against the shaft 46 and limiting movement of the shaft toward the transom Ztl. Nothing limits the shaft in the opposite (rearward) direction, and it will be apparent that should either of the propulsion units 26, 28 strike a submerged object, it is free to pivot up to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4 or higher, to clear the object, the pivot being about the horizontal swivel shaft 44.

A drive means is provided as a series of belts, preferably V-belts of synthetic rubber and fabric construction. Thus, there is one belt 80 which extends from the output pulley 24 to one of the grooves of the pulley 58. A similar belt 80a extends from the other groove of the pulley 24 to the corresponding groove of the left propulsion unit upper pulley 58a. Preferably, the belt 80a is turned into a figure 8 configuration so as to drive the propeller 30 in the opposite direction from the propeller 32, the pitches of the propellers being as necessary.

From the pulley 68 a depending endless belt 82 extends over the pulley 50. A similar belt 82a drives the left propeller 30. It will now be apparent that the pulleys in each instance are double so that two belts may be mounted on the propeller 24, and the remaining pulleys may be made identical to one another with the belts to the right propulsion unit and the belts to the left propulsion unit relatively reversed as to the positions in the grooves, whereby to provide for economy of manufacture in duplication of the parts.

When it is desired to steer to one side or the other the axes of the pulleys 58 and 58a remain fixed and the belts 80, 80a are unaffected by the turning. The belts 82 and 82a twist slightly, but the distances between pulleys 50, 58 and 50a, 58a remain substantially constant, so no problems are presented. When either or both propulsion units pivot up the swivel 42 and pulley 58 thereon, and also the corresponding pulley 50 move as a unit, whereby there is no problem in belt length. Obviously, the corresponding belt 80 or 80a must twist slightly.

The belts will be self clearing, in that any seaweed or the like picked up in a descending reach will be thrown out after passing around the corresponding pulley 50 or 50a. Similarly, should there by any fouling that does not clear itself, or should there be a belt failure, it is a simple matter to tip the corresponding propulsion unit up for replacement of a belt without the necessity of getting out of the boat and into the water, and without the necessity of proceeding to shore. Obviously, the boat can operate on either propulsion unit, whereby failure of either one, as through a broken belt, with no spare aboard, is merely an inconvenience which results in some slowing of the boat.

Synthetic rubbers which are water resistant, including salt water resistant are readily available and present no problem, and suitable corrosion resistant metals can be used for the few portions of the drive units which are under water. Note that there are no gears or other costly-to-fabricate parts under water.

It will beapparent from the foregoing that the inboardoutboard drive herein disclosed is simple and economical to fabricate. The unit is substantially maintance free. As a result, an inboard-outboard drive for a boat is hereby made available to many who heretofore could not have afforded it.

The specific example of the invention as herein shown and described is for illustrative purposes only. Various changes in structure will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art, and will be understood as forming a part of the invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In combination with a boat having a longitudinal axis and having a power source with an output shaft substantially longitudinal of said boat, said boat further having a transom, an inboard-outboard drive comprising straightthrough shaft means free of universal joints and the like extending said output shaft beyond said transom exteriorly of said boat, a pulley rotatable solely about an axis fixed relative to said boat and operatively connected to and rotatable with said shaft rearwardly of said transom, outside of said boat, a driving propeller, a pulley operatively connected to said propeller in coaxial relation therewith for driving said propeller, means secured to said transom adjacent said output shaft and rotatably supporting said propeller and said second mentioned pulley substantially below the bottom of said boat, said supporting means including means for pivoting said second pulley and said propeller about an axis transverse of said boat longitudinal axis, and belt means passed over said pulleys for driving said propeller from said output shaft, said belt means twisting upon pivoting of said second pulley and said propeller about said transverse axis.

2. An inboard-outboard drive as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means mounting the propeller comprises means pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis transverse of the axis of said boat and substantially on a level with said first mentioned pulley for pivoting up of said propeller and said mentioned pulley upon engaging a submerged object or for transporting said boat out of water.

3. An inboard-outboard drive as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means supporting the propeller and the second mentioned pulley includes means for pivoting said propeller pulley about a vertical axis for steering of said boat.

4. An inboard-outboard drive as set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for supporting the propeller and the second mentioned pulley comprises means for pivoting said propeller and second mentioned pulley about a substantially horizontal axis for pivoting said propeller and said second mentioned pulley up upon engaging a submerged object or for transporting said boat out of water.

5. In combination with a boat having a longitudinal axis and having a power source with an output shaft substantially longitudinal of said boat, said boat having a bottom and a transom, an inboard-outboard drive comprising straight-through shaft means free of universal joints and the like extending said shaft beyond said transom rearwardly of said boat, a double pulley rotatable solely about an axis fixed relative to said boat and fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, a drive unit to the right of said shaft, a drive unit to the left of said shaft, each of said drive units comprising a bracket secured to said transom, supporting means carried by said bracket for pivoting of each bracket about an axis transverse of said longitudinal axis and depending substantially below the bottom of said boat, said supporting means having an idler pulley journaled thereon substantially on a level with said double pulley, a propeller, a drive pulley drivingly fixed to said propeller in coaxial engagement therewith, means rotatably journaling said propeller and said drive pulley on said depending supporting means substantially below the bottom of said boat and entirely below the .water line, a first pair of substantially horizontal drive belts respectively passed over said double pulley and over said respective idler pulleys, and the second pair of substantially vertical drive belts respectively passed over said idler pulleys and over said drive pulleys for driving said propellers from said drive shaft, at least one of said belts twisting upon pivoting of a bracket about a transverse axis.

6. An inboard-outboard drive as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said first pair of drive belts is in figure 8 configuration whereby to drive said propellers in opposite directions, the pitches of said propellers being relatively opposite to one another.

7. An inboard-outboard drive as set forth in claim 5 wherein each supporting means is pivotally mounted from its bracket for pivoting about a horizontal axis, whereby each said supporting means may pivot up with its associated drive pulley and propeller in the event of striking a submerged object or for transporting said boat out of water.

8. In combination with a boat having an inboard power source with an output shaft, said boat also having a bottom and a transom, an inboard-outboard drive comprising means extending said shaft beyond said transom rearwardly of said boat, a first pulley secured to said shaft for rotation therewith about an axis fixed relative to said boat, a bracket secured to said transom exteriorly of said boat, a member pivoted in said bracket for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis transverse of the axis of said boat, nominally vertical means carried by said horizontal pivotal means and pivotal relative to said horizontally pivotal means about a substantially vertical axis, said vertical means depending substantially below said boat bottom, an idler pulley on said horizontally pivotal means substantially on a level with said first pulley, a substantially horizontal belt extending from the first mentioned pulley over said idler pulley, a propeller and a drive pulley coaxially fixed thereto rotatably carried by said vertical means for rotation about a horizontal axis substantially below the bottom of said boat and entirely below the water line, and a substantially vertical drive belt extending between said idler pulley and said drive pulley.

9. In combination with a boat having a power source with an output shaft, said boat having a bottom and a transom, an inboard-outboard drive comprising means extending said shaft beyond said transom rearwardly of said boat, a double pulley fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, a drive unit to the right of said shaft, a drive unit to the left of said shaft, each of said drive units comprising a bracket secured to said transom, supporting means carried by said bracket and depending substantially below the bottom of said boat, each supporting means being pivoted in its respective bracket for pivotable movement about a vertical axis, the supporting means being interconnected for common pivoting thereof about their vertical axes for steering said boat, each of said supporting means having an idler pulley journaled thereon, a propeller, a drive pulley drivingly fixed to said propeller in coaxial engagement therewith, means rotatably journaling said propeller and said drive pulley on said depending supporting means substantially below the bottom of said boat, a first pair of drive belts respectively passed over said double pulley and over said respective idler pulleys, and a second pair of drive belts respectively passed over said idler pulleys and over said drive pulleys for driving said propellers from said drive shaft.

10. An inboard-outboard drive as set forth in claim 9 wherein each supporting means is pivotably mounted from its bracket for pivoting about a horizontal axis whereby each supporting means may pivot up with its associated drive pulley and propeller in the event of striking a submerged object or for transporting said boat out of water.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 132,588 10/72 Lee -37 133,891 12/72 Rippingham 11537 743,700 10/03 Dupius 115-35 2,486,574 11/49 Roof 11534 2,755,766 7/56 Wanzer. 2,809,605 10/57 Russell l15-34 X 2,972,976 2/61 Smith 11535 3,088,430 5/63 Champney 115-41 FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner. 

9. IN COMBINATIN WITH A BOAT HAVING A POWER SOURCE WITH AN OUTPUT SHAFT, SAID BOAT HAVING A BOTTOM AND A TRANSOM, AN INBOARD-OUTBOARD DRIVE COMPRISING MEANS EXTENDING SAID SHAFT BEYOND SAID TRANSOM REARWARDLY OF SAID BOAT, A DOUBLE PULLEY FIXED ON SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, A DRIVE UNIT TO THE RIGHT OF SAID SHAFT, A DRIVE UNIT TO THE LEFT OF SAID SHAFT, EACH OF SAID DRIVE UNITS COMPRISING A BRACKET SECURED TO SAID TRANSOM, SUPPORTING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BRACKET AND DEPENDING SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE BOTTOM OF SAID BOAT, EACH SUPPORTING MEANS BEING PIVOTED IN ITS RESPECTIVE BRACKET FOR PIVABLE MOVEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, THE SUPPORTING MEANS BEING INTERCONNECTED FOR COMMON PIVOTING THEREOF ABOUT THEIR VERTICAL AXES FOR STEERING SAID BOAT, EACH OF SAID SUPPORTING MEANS HAVING AN IDLER PULLEY JOURNALED THEREON, A PROPELLER, A DRIVE PULLEY DRIVINGLY FIXED TO SAID PROPELLER IN COAXIAL ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, MEANS ROTATABLY JOUNALING SAID PROPELLER AND SAID DRIVE PULLEY ON SAID DEPENDING SUPPORTING MEANS SUBSTANTIALY BELOW THE BOTTOM OF SAID BOAT, A FIRST PAIR OF DRIVE BELTS RESPECTIVELY PASSED OVER SAID DOUBLE PULLEY AND OVER SAID RESPECTIVE IDLER PULLEYS, AND A SECOND PAIR OF DRIVE BELTS RESPECTIVELY PASSED OVER SAID IDLER PULLEYS AND OVER SAID DRIVE PULLEYS FOR DRIVING SAID PROPELLERS FROM SID DRIVE SHAFT. 